History of rail transport in Turkey

Istanbul Sirkeci Terminal opened in 1890 as the terminus of the Ottoman Empire's principal European railway line, serving also the famous Orient Express
Turkish railways map (1918)
Map showing the Ottoman railways on the eve of World War I

Rail transport in Turkey began in 1856 with the start of construction of the 130 kilometres (81 mi) İzmir–Aydın Railway.

The state corporation that manages the Turkish railway system, Turkish State Railways, subdivides the history into the Pre-Republic period (Ottoman period), the Republic period (which extends from 1923 to 1950) and the period after 1950.[1] During the first period, railways were built and operated by foreign concerns with permission from the state. In the second, the state took over its own railways and expanded them in support of Turkish financial interests. In the third period, attention turned from rail travel to highways, and the expansion of railways dramatically slowed.

Construction of the first railway line in Turkey began in 1856, being constructed by a British company that had gained permission from the Ottoman Empire. Later, French and German companies also constructed lines – the motivation was not only economic, the region had a strategically important position as a trade route between Europe and Asia.[2]

As with other countries, rapid expansion followed; by 1922 over 8,000 km (4,971 mi) of lines had been constructed in the Ottoman Empire.[note 1] At the birth of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, there were 3,660 km (2,274 mi) of standard gauge lines, of which 1,378 km (856 mi) were state-owned; while the lines owned by foreign investors were eventually nationalized starting from 1927. The railways were considered an essential part of the state by the government of the Republic, and continued to expand with new railway projects – over 3,000 km (1,864 mi) of new tracks were built in Turkey between 1923 and 1940. Railways were constructed serving mines, agriculture, people and ports; at the same time more lines serving eastern Anatolia were built, in their part helping to tie Turkey together as a functioning state.[2]

High-speed electric multiple unit HT80101, in Ankara, Turkey

In the years following World War II, the emphasis in transportation shifted to asphalt road and highway construction;[2] it was not until the end of the 20th century that railways returned to favour with major passenger infrastructure projects being initiated,[3][4] and five thousand kilometres of new lines planned for construction.[5]

The line from the Iranian border to Van and across Lake Van to Tatvan was funded by the Central Treaty Organisation, before the Iranian Revolution.

High speed lines were constructed in the 21st century.

Turkish State Railways (TCDD) was split with the passenger and freight operations being part of a new company named TCDD Transport from 2017, with TCDD left as a track and infrastructure operator.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference t1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Turkish State Railways : Railway policies throughout the 80 years of our history www.tcdd.gov.tr
  3. ^ Ministry of Transport and Communications : Ankara-Istanbul high speed train project Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine www.ubak.gov.tr
  4. ^ Ministry of Transport and Communications : Marmaray project Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine www.ubak.gov.tr
  5. ^ Ministry of Transport and Communications : Strategic Aims and Targets Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine (section "strategy") www.ubak.gov.tr
  6. ^ On the fast track to reform Archived 4 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine 9 March 2009, railwaygazette.com


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